Abdominoplasty

Many men and women find that despite exercise and weight loss, they have an area of excess skin and fat in the abdominal (belly) area that still stubbornly prevents them from achieving the flat, contoured abdomen they desire.

Factors such as ageing, genetics, pregnancy, prior surgery and significant fluctuations in weight can cause the abdominal muscles to stretch and weaken. Also, there can be an excess of skin and fatty deposits in this area which does not respond to exercise and a healthy diet, giving the impression of a flabby tummy.

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty (commonly known as a tummy tuck) is the surgical removal of loose, excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, tightening of abdominal muscles, repositioning of the belly button and redraping of the remaining skin tissues to create a more desirable shape. The overall result is often a toned, contoured abdomen. In addition, those who undergo abdominoplasty find emotional and psychological benefits from the reshaping of their abdomen. Dr Verma has the expertise to perform Abdominoplasty surgery tailored to your needs.

Abdominoplasty Surgery Quick Summary

What is abdominoplasty surgery: Abdominoplasty (commonly known as a tummy tuck) is the surgical removal of loose, excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, tightening of abdominal muscles, repositioning of the belly button and redraping of the remaining skin tissues to create a more desirable size or shape.

Where is it done: A mini-abdominoplasty will be performed at the brand-new Honeysuckle Day Hospital in Newcastle, a fully licensed and accredited day hospital which specializes in cosmetic surgery. A longer abdominoplasty will be performed in a hospital where you can be observed overnight.

Length of Surgery: Abdominoplasty usually takes four to six hours, depending on the complexity of the surgery. Mini abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.

Type of anaesthesia: General Anaesthesia.

Day surgery or inpatient stay: Day Surgery or Overnight stay.

Approximate Cost: Varies according to type, complexity, and length of the procedure. You will receive a quote with a cost of the procedure after your consultation with Dr. Verma, tailored to you.

Not sure if abdominoplasty surgery is right for you? Maybe you feel more than one type of cosmetic surgery may be required? Or are you interested in non-surgical ways to create a youthful look?

We advise booking a consultation with Dr. Verma. With his expertise and commitment to achieving the best results for you, together you can create a personalized treatment plan involving both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments specially tailored to the look you would like to achieve. Call (02) 4001 0511 to talk to our friendly staff and book a consultation with Dr. Verma.

Please also see our list of general FAQs for more details

FAQs

The abdominoplasty consultation

Do I qualify for abdominoplasty?

You need to be in good general physical and mental health to undergo surgery and ideally be a non-smoker or amenable to quitting pre-operatively. You should also be at or close to your ideal weight. Unlike common misconceptions, abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure and is not recommended for those who are obese. Also, if you are planning to lose a lot of weight or have future pregnancies, consider undergoing an abdominoplasty afterward otherwise you may lose the results of the surgery. Having abdominoplasty does not affect pregnancy. The abdomen’s skin will still stretch with the baby as it grows. However, pregnancy affects the results of the abdominoplasty and after childbirth, the abdominal contours will not be as they were after your tummy tuck procedure.

Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty surgery?

The ideal candidate is someone who has realistic expectations of what surgery can achieve and is undergoing surgery for themselves and not for anyone else (eg. pressure from partners or family, undergoing surgery to salvage a relationship or try to procure or keep a job). It is important to understand that cosmetic surgery performed by Dr. Verma is done with finesse, with the aim of giving a subtle but noticeable natural and elegant look.

What to expect during the consultation?

No two bodies are the same. After taking a general medical history, Dr. Verma will examine the abdomen and discuss your concerns with you. He will then suggest a procedure or procedures specifically tailored to address these issues, giving you a balanced and natural look.

Please note that Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your torso. Photography is vital in the cosmetic surgery experience and allows Dr. Verma to document and share with you your progress pre- and post-operatively. Sometimes these photographs will be uploaded onto our website. The images are de-identified, with birthmarks, tattoos and other identifying features removed. The images are not altered any other way, in order to give a true representation of the likely results. Such ‘Before-After’ images help other potential patients like yourself to decide whether this is the right procedure for them.

Generally, the consultation is your opportunity to ask Dr. Verma any questions or clear any concerns you may have regarding abdominoplasty.

What is the cost of abdominoplasty? What is included?

Cost of abdominoplasty depends on the length and complexity of the surgery. After the consultation, once you have decided you are interested in abdominoplasty, you will receive a quote for the cost of the surgery. This price includes Dr. Verma’s fees (surgeon fees) and the cost of follow up visits up to 3 months post-surgery. It does not include hospital and anesthetist costs but an estimate of such costs can be provided on request.

Abdominoplasty Procedure

How is abdominoplasty surgery performed? Are there different techniques?

In the majority of cases, liposuction is performed first to even out fatty deposits and contour the abdomen. Then an incision is made from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area and a second incision is made to free the belly button from the surrounding tissue. The incisions are usually hidden in the bikini/underwear line. The skin abdomen is then tightened and pulled down. The belly button is then repositioned into a more appropriate position. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, a dressing will be applied, and a thin tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical area. This tube is easy to manage and is temporary if needed at all.

Where will the incisions/scars be?

The incisions for abdominoplasty are in the margin of the belly button and in the lower abdomen, hidden in the bikini/underwear line. These generally fade to form faint white scars, although the degree of fading varies depending on how your skin tends to heal and form scars.

What type of Anaesthesia will be used?

The type of anaesthesia used is general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the operation. Sometimes local anaesthesia can be injected into the site of surgery, giving you better pain relief upon waking.

What are the side effects of abdominoplasty?

Temporary bruising and swelling, numbness, soreness, and tiredness are normal in abdominoplasty patients. The majority of such symptoms resolve within weeks to a couple of months after the operation.

What are the risks and complications of abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty (the tummy tuck) is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries worldwide. With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved and most problems are easily treated and settle with time. Generally speaking, cosmetic surgery is quite safe as it is sought by healthy and fit individuals seeking improvement in the appearance.

General risks of any surgery include excessive bleeding, reaction to any of the medications (including anaesthesia), infection, poor healing or excessive scarring. There are also risks and complications specific to abdominoplasties such as injury to significant nerves, muscles, and other abdominal structures. Often a thin plastic tube may need to be temporarily inserted into the area that has been operated on. These tubes drain any blood and secretions that accumulate under the skin after surgery and help to promote healing. Whether these drains are inserted or not is decided on a case-by-case basis, but generally, they are reserved for those requiring extensive surgery.

The occurrence of such complications depends mainly on whether you smoke, your general health status, how your body heals, as well as your post-operative recovery. Dr. Verma will discuss all risks and complications with you during a consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimize risks.

Recovery after Abdominoplasty

Care of your abdomen and wounds

You will be provided with detailed instructions by Finesse Cosmetic Surgery with regards to care of your sutures, wounds etc. Any sutures are usually removed in 10-14 days. After abdominoplasty surgery you will need to wear a ‘post-op garment’. This is a snug fabric garment for your abdomen to be worn after surgery. It reduces swelling and bruising after surgery, helping to minimize pain and achieve better-looking results.

Downtime

Returning to work takes 2-4 weeks depending on the nature of your job. More strenuous activity (such as lifting, straining, pushing, exercise beyond a light walk) should be strictly avoided for 6-8 weeks.

When will you see results?

Results will start to become visible after your tissues heal and when the majority of the swelling subsides, which may take 3 months. Thus, being patient and optimistic is key to recovery after abdominoplasty.

What will be your follow up schedule?

Dr. Verma will see you one week post the operation and then organize subsequent follow-ups according to how you recover. All follow-up visit costs up to three months after the operation are included in the cost of the surgery. Revision surgery for any complications carries an extra charge.

Similar to your consultation visit (see above), Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your abdomen and wounds in order to document healing during follow up visits.

How long do the effects of abdominoplasty last for?

Abdominoplasty results are generally long-lasting, but can, unfortunately, can be altered with weight change and pregnancy. Having abdominoplasty does not affect pregnancy. The abdomen’s skin will still stretch with the baby as it grows. However, pregnancy affects the results of the abdominoplasty and after childbirth, the abdominal contours will not be as they were after your tummy tuck.